Free Web NovelChapter 174: Chapter 173: A Visit
"It’s probably... just a coincidence."
Instructor Elder Fang Yuan spoke slowly, a hint of resignation in his voice.
"Perhaps because of the constant friction with our Fang Family in recent years and the considerable losses they’ve suffered, the Lin Family secretly moved some of their assets and a few core disciples as a precaution."
"The loss of assets is a secondary concern. The Lin Family has vast holdings and can absorb the loss. The most worrying thing right now is... those six who have disappeared!"
Fang Lingyuan stopped tapping his fingers and let out a heavy sigh.
He looked at Fang Han, his tone turning exceedingly grave.
"What I’m worried about is whether those six know about Zhao Qianjun."
"About Zhao Qianjun?!"
At these words, Fang Han’s head snapped up, his expression instantly turning ghastly.
An icy chill shot up his spine and spread through his entire body!
’If those six know about Zhao Qianjun, then what will they do after news of the Lin Family’s destruction spreads? Burning with a bone-deep hatred for their family’s annihilation, what would they do?’
’Mutual destruction!’
’They would almost certainly reveal the truth of Zhao Qianjun’s death to the Qingxuan Sect!’
’At that point, even if he had acted in self-defense, even if there were mitigating circumstances, killing a fellow sect member was a major taboo.’
’Once it was confirmed—especially if Chu Feng, his rival on the Celestial Pride List, used it as a pretext to kick him while he was down...’
’Under the Sect’s laws, the punishment he would have to face would be anything but light.’
The mere thought of this possibility made him break out in a cold sweat.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew so oppressive you could wring water from it.
"The Lin Family wouldn’t have risked losing both people and assets by sending them to some unfamiliar place. The most likely scenario is that they were sent to a city where the family has existing business ties. We can start our investigation there."
Elder Fang Mingde took a deep breath as he offered his analysis.
"Elder Mingde has a point," Fang Lingyuan agreed, then quickly ordered, "Elder Fang Tu, interrogate those maids and servants immediately. Find out which cities the Lin Family had business dealings with!"
"Yes!"
Fang Tu acknowledged the order, rising at once to leave.
Fang Han sat motionlessly, his face grim.
’I thought that with the Lin Family’s destruction, the truth of Zhao Qianjun’s death would be buried for good. I never expected this kind of loose end.’
For the next while, Fang Han remained in the meeting hall, waiting for news alongside the other Elders. The atmosphere was heavy.
An hour later, Elder Fang Tu returned.
"Patriarch, I’ve found what we need!"
His voice was sonorous, tinged with both exhaustion and excitement.
"There are three main cities with which the Lin Family has business dealings that could serve as potential hiding spots!"
He unfurled a simple map and pointed to three locations.
"First, Celestial Wind City to the southeast. Second, Lishan City to the due north. And third, River Valley City to the northwest."
"Celestial Wind City, Lishan City, and River Valley City..."
Fang Lingyuan’s gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, swept over the three circled cities on the map. "All three are possibilities," he said grimly. "There’s no time to lose. We must find and eliminate those six before news of the Lin Family’s destruction reaches these cities!"
He quickly issued his orders.
"Elder Fang Yuan, you take a team to Celestial Wind City. Elder Fang Tu, you lead a team to Lishan City. Elder Zhen Shan, you are responsible for River Valley City. Each team will have twenty elite hands. Depart immediately!"
"Yes!"
The three Elders answered in unison and rose to depart.
"Patriarch."
Fang Han stepped forward and clasped his fist.
"I request permission to accompany Elder Fang Yuan to Celestial Wind City."
"The strongest among those six is just a Ninth Grade Martial Artist, and the rest aren’t even Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists. They’re no cause for concern. For the Celestial Wind City mission, having Elder Fang Yuan, an Eighth Grade Martial Artist, leading the team is more than sufficient. You don’t need to..." Fang Lingyuan began to say, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Patriarch," Fang Han interjected.
"I have a good friend and fellow disciple from the Xiao Family of Celestial Wind City. If we can gain their assistance and leverage their local influence and network, our search will be much more efficient and save a great deal of time. The stakes are too high; we should spare no effort in this search."
"Very well. You may go with Elder Yuan. Follow Elder Fang Yuan’s orders in all matters, and be cautious."
A glint flashed in Fang Lingyuan’s eyes. He stroked his beard in thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
"I understand."
Fang Han bowed to accept the order.
The three Elders quickly assembled their teams. Fang Yuan’s group, including Fang Han, totaled twenty-four people. All were skilled Fang Family Martial Artists, with even the weakest being a Bone Refining Realm Martial Artist. They moved with crisp efficiency, their eyes sharp.
The three teams vaulted onto their horses. Hoofbeats thundered, kicking up clouds of dust.
Like arrows loosed from a bow, they charged out of Liangshui City and galloped off in three different directions.
The cavalcade galloped along the main road, raising a trail of dust.
Elder Fang Yuan rode at the head of the column, his graying hair and beard whipping in the wind. His eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, constantly scanned the road ahead.
Fang Han followed close behind, his azure robes snapping in the wind. Though his body rose and fell with the horse’s gait, he remained as steady as a boulder.
The twenty-odd Fang Family guards behind them rode in silence, the only sounds being the drumming of hooves on the ground and the howling of the wind.
They stopped for a night at a posthouse along the way and set out again at first light.
After riding hard, the silhouette of a massive city finally appeared on the horizon by noon the following day.
Its dark gray walls were towering and majestic, far surpassing those of Liangshui City. Tall gatehouses rose above them, and banners were faintly visible in the distance.
This was Celestial Wind City, a mid-sized city with a population of seven to eight hundred thousand.
The party slowed their pace, joining the stream of people passing through the heavily guarded city gates.
A wave of noise and clamor washed over them.
The streets were wide and bustling with carriages and horses. Shops lined both sides, their signs and banners fluttering in the wind. Pedestrians thronged the streets, walking shoulder to shoulder. The hawking of vendors in various accents, the sound of chatter and laughter, and the clatter of carts and horses all blended together, creating a sense of prosperity and vitality that Liangshui City lacked.
The air was thick with the smells of cooking oil, spices, medicinal herbs, and the complex musk of a large crowd.
A few of the younger guards couldn’t help but gawk, their eyes wide with amazement.
"First, we find an inn to stay," Elder Fang Yuan said in a low voice, reining in his horse. His gaze swept over the noisy street, his graying brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
They found a large inn called the "East-Comes Inn" and rented a private, detached courtyard to avoid unwanted attention.
After stabling the horses and settling their luggage, Fang Yuan summoned a sharp-looking attendant, tipped him a piece of crushed silver, and began to ask for information.
"Young man, would you happen to know where the Xiao Mansion is located in Celestial Wind City? We’ve traveled a long way to visit an old acquaintance."
The attendant hastily pocketed the silver and said with a wide smile, "The Xiao Family, you ask? Sir, they’re one of the most prominent families in all of Celestial Wind City! Just head east along this main street."
"When you see the largest stone archway, take a right. Walk a little further, and you’ll see a grand residence with a vermilion gate and two huge stone lions out front. That’s the place. You can’t miss it!"
Having gotten the exact address, Fang Yuan and Fang Han freshened up. They took a beautifully wrapped gift box they had prepared in advance—containing a fine, century-old mountain ginseng—and left with two guards carrying it.
The Xiao Mansion was located in the eastern part of the city. It was a grand estate with a vermilion-lacquered main gate, fronted by two imposing stone lions. Above the door, a golden plaque bearing the two words "Xiao Mansion" glittered, giving it an air of extraordinary prestige.
Four guards in martial attire stood watch at the entrance. Their eyes were sharp and their temples bulged, clear signs that their Cultivation was not weak.
Fang Han stepped forward and clasped his fist toward the head guard. "Please inform Xiao Chen that Fang Han, a disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, has come to visit."
Upon hearing the name "Qingxuan Sect," the guard’s expression immediately turned serious. He sized Fang Han up carefully and, seeing his calm demeanor, dared not be disrespectful. He clasped his fist and said, "Please wait a moment, Young Master. I will go announce your arrival at once."
The guard hurried into the mansion. A short while later, a figure emerged, walking briskly from within. It was none other than Xiao Chen.
He was dressed in a blue brocade robe today, his features handsome. His face lit up with a delighted smile upon seeing Fang Han.
"Fang Han, it really is you! When the gatekeeper came to report, I thought I’d misheard. What brings you to Celestial Wind City? Come in, quickly!"
His eyes swept over Elder Fang Yuan and the two guards behind Fang Han, a flicker of confusion in their depths, but he still gestured them inside with undiminished warmth.
"Xiao Chen, my friend, forgive the unannounced visit. I hope I’m not disturbing you."
Fang Han returned the gesture with a smile, but his expression quickly turned serious as he lowered his voice.
"This is an Elder from my family, Fang Yuan. We’ve actually come on an urgent matter and were hoping you could introduce us to Uncle Xiao."
"Of course. Fang Han, Elder Fang Yuan, please follow me."
Seeing Fang Han’s grave expression, so unlike a casual visit, Xiao Chen knew it must be something important and nodded at once.
He led Fang Han and Elder Fang Yuan through several courtyards to a spacious and elegant hall decorated with antiques, calligraphy, and paintings.
"Please, have a seat and some tea. I will go get my father."
Xiao Chen instructed a maid to serve tea and then departed quickly.
A moment later, footsteps sounded, and Xiao Chen entered the hall accompanied by a middle-aged man.
The man was in his forties and bore a strong resemblance to Xiao Chen, but his bearing was far more composed and imposing. A sharp glint appeared and vanished as he blinked, his temples were high and pronounced, and his aura was profound. Clearly, his Cultivation was extremely high.
He wore a casual, dark purple robe with gold embroidery. His stride was steady, and he carried the natural air of authority of one long in a position of power. frёewebnoѵēl.com
This was none other than the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, Xiao Tiannan.
"Father, this is my fellow disciple from the Qingxuan Sect, Fang Han. And this is Elder Fang Yuan from his family," Xiao Chen quickly made the introductions.
Fang Han and Elder Fang Yuan rose and bowed in greeting.
"A brilliant disciple of the Qingxuan Sect graces my humble home. Forgive me for not greeting you at the gate," Xiao Tiannan said with a warm smile, returning their bow. His gaze lingered on Fang Han for a moment, a barely perceptible look of appraisal flashing in his eyes.
He had clearly heard of Fang Han from Xiao Chen before and knew of his astonishing Talent—that he was now ranked second in the Sub-Branch.
"You are too kind, Patriarch Xiao. We are the ones who are intruding," Elder Fang Yuan said, clasping his fist.
They all took their seats as host and guests, and a maid served fresh, fragrant tea.
"Nephew Fang, you are young and full of promise. My son, Chen’er, often speaks of you at home with endless praise," Xiao Tiannan began with a smile after a few pleasantries. "I wonder, what matter brings you and Elder Fang Yuan here today? If there is any way the Xiao Family can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to ask."
Fang Han exchanged a glance with Elder Fang Yuan. After the elder gave a slight nod, Fang Han took a deep breath and began to speak, his expression grave.
"Uncle Xiao, to be perfectly honest, my family recently clashed with our city’s long-standing rivals, the Lin Family, and has... annihilated them."
The hand with which Xiao Tiannan was holding his teacup paused mid-air. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he didn’t interrupt, waiting quietly for Fang Han to continue.
Xiao Chen, however, looked openly shocked.
"However, while taking stock afterward, we discovered that one of the Lin Family’s elders, along with five core disciples, had quietly left Liangshui City sometime before the end of last year. Our investigation suggests they may be hiding here in Celestial Wind City."
"As the saying goes, if you don’t pull out the roots, the weeds will grow back, and the trouble will be endless. For this reason, our Patriarch sent Elder Fang Yuan and me here to find these six individuals."
